Integrated Fuel Tank Vent System with Gravity Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel vapor vent systems for internal combustion engines, such as carbon canisters and rollover valves, are complex, costly, and prone to malfunction, failing to effectively reduce evaporative emissions while maintaining engine performance across various angles of operation.
Innovation Solution
An integrated evaporative fuel tank vent system with a base and cover portion that forms a containment and evaporative chamber, using a specially designed passageway and filter to vent fuel vapors while preventing liquid fuel from entering the evaporative chamber, utilizing gravity and vacuum to return fuel to the tank, eliminating the need for a rollover valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a carbon canister is used to filter fuel vapors, then evaporative emissions are reduced, but device complexity increases and the system becomes more prone to malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vapor filtration function and liquid fuel containment function into a single integrated chamber structure. The chamber serves dual purposes: filtering evaporative emissions through a carbon filter while simultaneously containing liquid fuel through gravity-based drainage, eliminating the need for separate carbon canister and rollover valve components.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated structure: (1) allowing atmospheric air intake to replace consumed fuel, (2) filtering fuel vapors through a carbon filter, (3) containing liquid fuel through gravity drainage, and (4) preventing fuel leakage during angled operation. This multi-functional design reduces component count and system complexity.
2Reliability
If a rollover valve is used to prevent fuel leakage at angled positions, then fuel containment is improved, but device complexity increases and engine performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rollover valve system with a passive gravity-based drainage system. Liquid fuel that enters the containment chamber automatically drains back to the fuel tank through gravity force, eliminating moving parts and mechanical components that are prone to failure while maintaining fuel containment reliability across various operating angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment chamber design allows liquid fuel to self-drain back to the fuel tank using gravity force without requiring external control mechanisms. The system automatically prevents fuel leakage through its geometric design and gravity-based drainage, eliminating the need for active rollover valve control.
3Productivity
If passage(s) are formed to link the fuel tank with the outside atmosphere for venting, then fuel supply to the engine is maintained, but evaporative emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a carbon filter as an intermediary component between the fuel tank interior and the outside atmosphere. This filter mediates the venting process by allowing atmospheric air to enter the fuel tank for fuel supply while simultaneously capturing and filtering fuel vapors, preventing their direct release into the environment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly reduces evaporative emissions, is more reliable and cost-effective, and maintains engine performance at various angles without the complexity and cost of traditional systems, while ensuring fuel vapors are filtered and atmospheric air is drawn in as needed.
Implementation Method 1
a filter, such as a carbon filter, for venting fuel vapors
Implementation Method 2
utilizing gravity and vacuum to return liquid fuel to the tank
Implementation Method 3
utilizing gravity and vacuum to return liquid fuel to the tank
Data Source
AI summary
An evaporative venting system for use in an internal combustion engine and a method for venting fuel vapors are disclosed. The evaporative venting system includes a containment chamber at least in indirect communication with a fuel tank and a passageway defined within the containment chamber and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The inlet opening is at least indirectly in communication with the fuel tank and the outlet opening is at least indirectly in communication with an evaporative chamber such that the passageway provides a vent path between the fuel tank and the evaporative chamber such that the vent path allows for both the venting of fuel vapors from the fuel tank and the intake of air into the fuel tank during all angles of positioning of the fuel tank.